God's Word clearly condemns any notion of a "ritualistic" approach to religion. Jesus openly rebuked the Pharisees for just such activity. He described them as the kind of people who did "all their works . . . for to be seen of men" (Matthew 23:5).

There are many in the religious world today that are guilty of ritualism. They adorn their buildings with elaborate trappings, dress their priests in special clothes, and conduct their services in a certain fashion to impress the carnal mind. These folks need to realize the futility of such efforts. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). He will not accept ritualism in the place of sincere and humble worship (Matthew 6:1-8,16-18).

In reaction to the abuses of ritualism, some have migrated to the opposite extreme. Since it is clear that God disapproves of any ritualistic deeds, they have decided that we ought to avoid anything in our teaching or practice that stresses specific acts done in specific ways. They rightly argue that true religion comes from the heart. But they mistakenly deduce that what we do physically is unimportant. To them, a sincere heart is all that matters.

The Scriptures teach that both things are necessary: a good heart, and physical compliance to God's commands. Paul taught Titus to strive for this important balance: "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you" (Titus 2:7,8). Do you see it? Our attitude of heart ("sincerity") will be manifested in our pure "doctrine", our "pattern of good works" and our "sound speech."

Let us learn to "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrew 12:28).